Oasis - InterviewPrior to the world premiere,
an attractive interview with
the composer: first-hand information
on the compositional process.
Edited and produced by
ERB channel (German TV, interviewer
Ms. Koblischke)
(10:30 min.)

Oasis - EnglishOasis – world premiere of the English version, Bratislava, May 19, 2013

Beginning of the opera - the wanderings of
the Israelites, the children play wind-pipes
> Noa and Elon want to steal away from the
tent > towards Ali and Laila's entrance with
the conductor > Ya-lel - the Bedouin boys
practicing the steps of the debka >
Scene of the Little Bird > the Bedouin boys
onstage > meeting of the four children with
the parents of Elon and Noa, the four children
perform the Dance of the Oasis > the Finale
(Das Herz so schwer)

The Israelites are wandering in the desert on their way out of Egypt to the Land of Canaan. They have run out of water. Noa and Elon, the mischievous brother and sister, revive a little bird and notice a green area far away - an indication of life. Secretly they steal away from their tent in order to search for water. Tired and thirsty, they lose consciousness. Two Bedouin children, Ali and Laila, come upon them suddenly, give them water, refresh them and guide them to the oasis. There is great excitement in the oasis with the debka (Arabic) and the hora (Hebrew) blending with one another. When the four children return with jars of water to the tent of the Israelites, Noa and Elon's parents express their wish to adopt Ali and Laila. But Ali and Laila refuse their offer; they prefer to remain in the desert. The Finale is sung in sadness yet with hope - that each should live in peace in his own place and in his own tradition. The little bird returns and hovers over the stage - as a symbol of life and peace.
Story and libretto: Yael Medini

The English version of the children's opera Oasis was premiered on May 19, 2013. This fully-staged production took place at the St. Cecilia Elementary School of Arts, Bratislava. The opera was sung by children, pupils at the school; the choreography, stage and costume design was done by members of the Bratislava Opera House.